Spring 2018 tutoring session - Now Accepting Registrations!

March 26th - June 1st

Tutors and students meet once a week for 45-60 minutes for a 10-week session. Participants are paired with a trained tutor based on availability and scheduled at a mutually agreed upon time between the tutor and participant. Tutoring is recommended for ages 3 and up.

Literacy: The GiGi’s Literacy Program builds a foundation in sight word recognition, phonics, vocabulary, comprehension and improved articulation through one-on-one literacy tutoring adapted to fit the learning style of individuals with Down syndrome.

The Literacy Tutoring Program

The GiGi's Playhouse Literacy Tutoring Program uses a methodology with documented success based on the research by professionals in the field. Trained tutors work at the level of the child, continually challenging and encouraging him/her while utilizing a combination of personalized sight word and project-based approaches with commercially developed programs, books, and online resources. This literacy tutoring program includes, not only direct instruction with the child, but education for parents, school teachers, and other therapists as well.

Benefits

Increased confidence and self-esteem

Enhanced fine motor development

Greater independence and autonomy

Greater inclusion in general education classrooms

More active role in schools and community

Broader communication and speech abilities

Greater social interaction and friendships

Accelerated articulation development

Fundamentals of GiGi’s Literacy Tutoring Program

We teach using materials that are meaningful and relevantto the student.

We teach using a multi-sensory (visual, kinesthetic, auditory) and multi-modality (variety of methods) approach.

We teach students to practice, transfer and generalize newly learned skills.

We teach students to apply and use information gained from reading.

Reading is Important

Reading is a vital life skill where doors, otherwise closed, in the workplace, schools and the community will open up for individuals with Down syndrome. Developing reading skills leads to improvements in speech and language development, auditory perceptual skills and working memory function. This will promote the self-confidence and self-esteem that is so important to all individuals!

Program Reference Materials:

Teaching Reading to Children with Down Syndromeby Patricia Logan Oelwein

Reading and Writing for Individuals with Down Syndrome: An Overviewby Sue Buckey

Building the Foundation

Each child learns to read and develop literacy skills at a different pace. The GiGi's Literacy Tutoring Program builds a strong foundation from the beginning and is based on the Five Components of Reading which include:

Raising Robust Readers is researched-based and is aligned with the best practices of the National Reading Panel, the National Right to Read Foundation, the International Dyslexia Association and the National Center for Learning Disabilities. It is multi-sensory and uses Orton-Gillingham principles taught through child-centered play and family-focused activities. This program has proven results for individuals with Down syndrome and it builds on the strengths of our students. Raising Robust Readers' methods are direct, explicit, and systematic.

Reading A-Z

Reading A-Z is among the family of Learning A-Z websites providing affordable, online curriculum resources. The website has more than 2,500 downloadable books (including English, Spanish, and French versions) and thousands of teaching and learning materials.

Reading A-Z materials have found widespread use with students from a range of grade levels and with a variety of special needs within special education, remedial reading, English as a Second Language (ESL), and English Language Learner (ELL) programs.